CAMPERS are slowly returning to the Batang Kali campsites in Selangor after the Father’s Organic Farm landslide tragedy, which claimed 31 lives in December last year.

Following the incident, campsite owners were ordered to temporarily shut down.

Even though they are situated on flat terrain and away from the hills, the operators said campers were still wary of the incident.

Bonda Valley Rumah Hutan administration manager Arif Hisyam said they resumed operations more than a month after the tragedy.

“We are slowly starting to get back campers and other visitors. But they keep asking if this place is safe,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“The number of campers has dropped by at least 50% compared to the time before the incident.”

The Father’s Organic Farm campsite continues to be closed after the landslide.

The early morning incident on December 16 claimed 31 lives out of the 92 people who were at the campsite.

Following the incident, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced a freeze on all outdoor recreational activities around Batang Kali.

Arif said customers are now eager to inquire more about safety and licensing before coming over.

“We are licensed. We monitor our campsites and we continuously emphasise safety here,” he said.

Arif also said Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) officers had visited his site twice since the tragedy.

“They (MPHS officers) told us to check our campsite because even though our area is safe, we don’t know if there are any soil movements,” he said.

“For us, there are no hills here as we are located next to a river.”

The site, which is located more than 10km from the incident, can accommodate about 50 tents.  

According to the Selangor Journal, guidelines and licences for camping activities are expected to be tabled at the next state executive council meeting.

In February, state executive councillor for local government Ng Sze Han said the registration of campsites would be made mandatory once the bylaw is passed.

He also said there are more than 200 camping sites in Selangor.

Waiting for safety guidelines

Owner of Dusun Tok Mat campsite in Hulu Rening, Mohd Johan Abdul Rahman, said they had to close for a month after the December tragedy and had to bear the losses.

“We had to refund those who had made bookings with us, so we incurred losses,” he said.

“Business here has dropped by more than 40%. Only during school holidays can we see campers now.

“We still get campers coming, and they always ask if the place is safe. This place is safe as it is located far from the hills. Our regulars have no issues.”

The area is located about 20km from the incident. Johan said they have about 18 campsites here.

Mazlan Atan, the owner of Teratak Tok Alang campsite in Hulu Rening, said they resumed operations a month after the incident.

“Our business has dropped by 70%. During weekdays, there is no one here. Only on weekends we see people coming in,” he said.

“The campers always ask how far we are located from the site of the incident. We are very far from it, about 20km away.

“Those in the Klang Valley and our regulars know this place. We are in the jungle, so they don’t have to be afraid.”

He said to date, they are still waiting for the safety guidelines from MPHS. – June 9, 2023.